Young children often have rules to follow at home, at school, and elsewhere. You can help them understand that the Lord expects us to follow the rules and laws in our community and nation.
Invite the children to play a simple game without following any rules, and then have them play it with rules. How do rules help us? Express your gratitude for the laws of the land.
Help the children repeat the twelfth article of faith. Emphasize key words, like “obeying, honoring, and sustaining,” and talk with the children about what those words mean. Share with them why it is important to obey the law.
Although there are different forms of government around the world, the Lord wants us to “sustain and uphold the … governments in which [we] reside” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5).
Invite the children to list rules or laws they obey. What would life be like if no one obeyed these laws? Read Doctrine and Covenants 134:1–2 with the children, helping them understand any words or phrases they might not understand. Why does the Lord want us to have government and laws?
Write each word or phrase from the eleventh and twelfth articles of faith on a separate slip of paper. Mix the papers up, and ask the children to work together to put them in the right order. How do we show that we believe what these articles of faith teach?
This section was first added to the book of Doctrine and Covenants as an appendix and was subsequently assigned a section number.
1–6, The Saints are commanded to prepare for the Second Coming; 7–16, All men are commanded to flee from Babylon, come to Zion, and prepare for the great day of the Lord; 17–35, He will stand on Mount Zion, the continents will become one land, and the lost tribes of Israel will return; 36–40, The gospel was restored through Joseph Smith to be preached in all the world; 41–51, The Lord will come down in vengeance upon the wicked; 52–56, It will be the year of His redeemed; 57–74, The gospel is to be sent forth to save the Saints and for the destruction of the wicked.
Books sometimes end with a conclusion that restates or summarizes the book’s main points. Section 133 was originally meant to be the conclusion of the Book of Commandments, and it might be valuable to read this section with that in mind. What points does the Lord emphasize about His work? What do verses 57–62 teach you about the role the Lord wants you to play in His work?
The Lord wants Me to be Clean from Wordly Influences.
Doctrine and Covenants 133 can help the children understand how to keep themselves clean from the worldly influences around them.
Invite the children to read “Babel, Babylon” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to find out what Babylon is and what it represents. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14–15. What does it mean to “go ye out from Babylon”? (verse 5). What are some places and situations the Lord wants us to stay away from? What can we do to avoid them?
Place a sign on one side of the room that says “Zion,” and place another sign on the other side that says “Babylon.” Write on strips of paper words from Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14–15 that describe either Zion or Babylon (such as “wicked,” “clean,” or “destruction”), and invite the children to place each paper under the appropriate sign.
The spiritual opposite of Zion is Babylon—an ancient city that throughout scripture symbolizes wickedness and spiritual bondage (see D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 37; Guide to the Scriptures, “Babel, Babylon,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Is there anything you need to do as a family to, in a spiritual sense, “go … out from Babylon” (verse 5) and “go … forth unto … Zion”? (verse 9).
In section 133, the Lord describes His Second Coming and invites His people to prepare for this glorious event. How can you help the children look forward to the Savior’s return?Possible Activities
Hide a picture of the Savior’s Second Coming behind a cloth, as if the cloth were a curtain (you could use the image in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families or Gospel Art Book, no. 66). Invite the children to take turns moving the “curtain” aside and pretending they are looking out a window. Ask them to share how they would feel if they looked out the window and saw Jesus coming down from heaven. Read the phrase “go ye out to meet him” (verse 19), and help the children repeat the phrase.
Under each child’s chair, hide a picture depicting something we can do to prepare for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (such as read the scriptures, share the gospel, or serve our families). Let the children find the pictures, and talk about how doing these things helps us get ready to meet the Savior when He returns.
Sing together a song about the Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83). Share your love for the Savior and your feelings about His return to the earth. Invite the children to share their feelings too.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, “It is supremely important to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ” (“Preparing for the Lord’s Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 81). How will you help the children understand how they can participate in this critical work?
Display the picture from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, and invite the children to make a list of things they know about Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Then, using Doctrine and Covenants 133:19–25, 46–52, invite them to add things to their list. Share your testimony that the Second Coming will be a joyful day for the righteous.
To help the children understand verse 19, talk to them about how a bride might prepare for her wedding (perhaps someone who was recently married could help with this conversation). How are we like a bride preparing “for the coming of the Bridegroom,” Jesus Christ? If you think it would be helpful, review with the children the parable of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13). Why is it important to prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming? What can we do now to prepare
These verses describe some of the many ways the Lord has shown His “loving kindness” to His people. What can you do to help the children feel the Savior’s love for them?
Display a picture that shows that Jesus is loving and kind (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47). Ask the children to share other things that Jesus has done to show His love and kindness. Read the phrase “they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord” (verse 52), and help the children think of ways they can tell others about the Savior’s love.
Sing a song about the Savior’s love, such as “Jesus Is Our Loving Friend” (Children’s Songbook, 58). Share your testimony of how the Savior has shown His love for you.
Friend April 2019 “God’s Great Gift” President Nelson asked the person who daily fed some tropical fish if they had ever thanked her. He says that some people are like those fish. They are not aware of God and His goodness to them. We need to express gratitude for his blessings, especially for the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ. Activity: Color in a sun ray after you read each sentence about what Jesus has done for us.
A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835. Many Saints gathered together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. At that time, this declaration was given the following preamble: “That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.”
1–4, Governments should preserve freedom of conscience and worship; 5–8, All men should uphold their governments and owe respect and deference to the law; 9–10, Religious societies should not exercise civil powers; 11–12, Men are justified in defending themselves and their property.
Young children often have rules to follow at home, at school, and elsewhere. You can help them understand that the Lord expects us to follow the rules and laws in our community and nation.
Invite the children to play a simple game without following any rules, and then have them play it with rules. How do rules help us? Express your gratitude for the laws of the land.
Help the children repeat the twelfth article of faith. Emphasize key words, like “obeying, honoring, and sustaining,” and talk with the children about what those words mean. Share with them why it is important to obey the law.
Although there are different forms of government around the world, the Lord wants us to “sustain and uphold the … governments in which [we] reside” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5).
Invite the children to list rules or laws they obey. What would life be like if no one obeyed these laws? Read Doctrine and Covenants 134:1–2 with the children, helping them understand any words or phrases they might not understand. Why does the Lord want us to have government and laws?
Write each word or phrase from the eleventh and twelfth articles of faith on a separate slip of paper. Mix the papers up, and ask the children to work together to put them in the right order. How do we show that we believe what these articles of faith teach?
In Doctrine and Covenants 88 the Lord instructed Joseph Smith to form a school to teach the leaders of the Church about the gospel and prepare them to serve the members of the Church. In this school, called the School of the Prophets, Church leaders were to teach one another about the gospel and other important subjects (see D&C 88:77–80). Leaders of the Church in the Kirtland area began attending the School of the Prophets at the end of January 1833. The school was held in the evenings, in an upstairs room of Newel K. Whitney’s store. The Prophet taught the men about the importance of learning and preaching the gospel and of learning about the world around them. In addition to studying the scriptures and the principles of the gospel, the men also studied Hebrew and Greek.
In 1831 the Lord had commanded Oliver Cowdery and W. W. Phelps to write and select textbooks for children (see D&C 55:4). After Joseph Smith organized the School of the Prophets for the priesthood leaders of the Church, he organized a school for children. Classes were held in the attic of the Kirtland Temple. One hundred forty children attended the school.
“Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more like Him. … The education you gain will be valuable to you during mortality and in the life to come” (For the Strength of Youth, 9).
Display a picture of a school, or draw one on the board, and invite the children to explain what a school is and what happens there. Tell about the school Joseph Smith started (see “Chapter 31: The Word of Wisdom,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 119–22). Show the children pictures of a home, a church, and a temple, and ask them how these places are also like schools.
Sing a song about learning, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Ask the children what they enjoy learning about.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, and emphasize the phrase “teach one another.” Share some wisdom that you have learned from each of the children in your class, and invite them to share wisdom they have learned.
You can help the children understand that learning about both spiritual and temporal matters can prepare them to serve the Lord.
Write on the board What,Why, and How. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 88:77–79 in pairs and make a list of what the Lord wants us to learn about. Then ask them to search verse 80 to find out why He wants us to learn. They can then search verse 118 to find out how we should learn. What do we learn from these verses about how the Lord views education and learning?
Display a map of the world, and read together Doctrine and Covenants 88:79. Why is it important for us to learn about other countries and cultures? If you or the children you teach have visited or lived in another country, show items that represent the culture, and share things you learned.
Discuss the following ideas to show the importance of gaining knowledge:
Perfect knowledge is one of God’s attributes (see 2 Nephi 9:20).
The commandment to study and learn is repeated many times in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 88:118, 130:18–19, and D&C 131:6).
Peter said knowledge was necessary to become like Heavenly Father (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Discuss how learning can help us become more like our Father in Heaven.
“Learn!” (September 2011 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells of how he loved learning as a child and how it is important for everyone to learn as much as they can.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Friend October 2022 “Worth the Work” When Elder Alfred Kyungu was young his family couldn’t afford to end him to school. The family worked hard on the farm so they could afford to send him back to school. He learned that an education is worth working for. Later he learned that the Lord also teaches us that education is important.
Many things we obtain in this life will not go with us into the next life. But our “knowledge and intelligence” will (Doctrine and Covenants 130:19).
Ask the children to share with you something they are learning about in school or from their parents. Invite them to read Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19 to find out what will happen to our knowledge and intelligence in the next life.
What does verse 19 teach about how we gain knowledge and intelligence? How can we be diligent and obedient as we seek to learn? (For more on this topic, see “Education” in For the Strength of Youth [pages 9–10].)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell clarified what the word intelligence means in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19: “If we ponder just what it is that will rise with us in the resurrection, it seems clear that our intelligence will rise with us, meaning not simply our IQ, but also our capacity to receive and apply truth (applying the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes). Our talents, attributes, and skills will rise with us; certainly also our capacity to learn, our degree of self-discipline, and our capacity to work” (We Will Prove Them Herewith [1982], 12).
How might you use these verses to help your family prioritize things that last eternally? Maybe you could pack a suitcase or backpack together with items representing things that, according to Doctrine and Covenants 130:2, 18–19; 132:19, we can take with us into the next life, such as family pictures or scriptures. What does Doctrine and Covenants 132:13teach us about things of the world? This could lead to a discussion about focusing on things that have eternal significance.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Keep Trying
Friend March 2022 “Overcoming Your Challenges”President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the challenges he faced growing up, such as having his father die when he was seven, or being made fun of by other kids because he couldn’t spell or do math very well. Heavenly Father and Dallin’s family helped him and things got better. President Oaks wants the children to know that Heavenly Father will help them and to not give up. (Coloring page “I Can Overcome Challenges”)
Friend July 2024 “The Joy of Learning” When Elder Clark G. Gilbert was growing up he didn’t feel like he was a good learner or smart, and he didn’t think that could change. But then a teacher believed in him, and so he kept trying, studied harder, and developed ways to focus and keep organized. He also started to involve the Lord in his learning. He eventually began to love learning and became good at it.
Instructions given by Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, February 9, 1843, making known three grand keys by which the correct nature of ministering angels and spirits may be distinguished.
1–3, There are both resurrected and spirit bodies in heaven; 4–9, Keys are given whereby messengers from beyond the veil may be identified.
SECTION 130
1–3, The Father and the Son may appear personally to men; 4–7, Angels reside in a celestial sphere; 8–9, The celestial earth will be a great Urim and Thummim; 10–11, A white stone is given to all who enter the celestial world; 12–17, The time of the Second Coming is withheld from the Prophet; 18–19, Intelligence gained in this life rises with us in the Resurrection; 20–21, All blessings come by obedience to law; 22–23, The Father and the Son have bodies of flesh and bones.
Heavenly Father Wants Me to Gain Knowledge and Intelligence.
Many things we obtain in this life will not go with us into the next life. But our “knowledge and intelligence” will (Doctrine and Covenants 130:19).
Ask the children to share with you something they are learning about in school or from their parents. Invite them to read Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19 to find out what will happen to our knowledge and intelligence in the next life.
What does verse 19 teach about how we gain knowledge and intelligence? How can we be diligent and obedient as we seek to learn? (For more on this topic, see “Education” in For the Strength of Youth [pages 9–10].)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell clarified what the word intelligence means in Doctrine and Covenants 130:18–19: “If we ponder just what it is that will rise with us in the resurrection, it seems clear that our intelligence will rise with us, meaning not simply our IQ, but also our capacity to receive and apply truth (applying the knowledge we obtain for righteous purposes). Our talents, attributes, and skills will rise with us; certainly also our capacity to learn, our degree of self-discipline, and our capacity to work” (We Will Prove Them Herewith [1982], 12).
How might you use these verses to help your family prioritize things that last eternally? Maybe you could pack a suitcase or backpack together with items representing things that, according to Doctrine and Covenants 130:2, 18–19; 132:19, we can take with us into the next life, such as family pictures or scriptures. What does Doctrine and Covenants 132:13teach us about things of the world? This could lead to a discussion about focusing on things that have eternal significance.
Friend August 2017 “Three Classrooms” There are three different classrooms in life.
Discuss the following ideas to show the importance of gaining knowledge:
Perfect knowledge is one of God’s attributes (see 2 Nephi 9:20).
The commandment to study and learn is repeated many times in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 88:118, 130:18–19, and D&C 131:6).
Peter said knowledge was necessary to become like Heavenly Father (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Discuss how learning can help us become more like our Father in Heaven.
“Learn!” (September 2011 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells of how he loved learning as a child and how it is important for everyone to learn as much as they can.
Friend August 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Help your littles ones say, “Heavenly Father wants me to learn.” Talk about good things we learn at church and school. Have your little ones draw something they have learned.
Share a simple comparison with the children that shows how important it is to follow instructions; for example, talk with them about the steps we must follow to prepare food or play a game or build something. What happens when we don’t follow the instructions? (Maybe you have a personal experience you can share.) Read Doctrine and Covenants 130:21, and compare these instructions to the commandments we must follow to receive blessings from Heavenly Father.
Ask the children if they can think of a time when they obeyed one of God’s commandments. How did they feel? Sing together a song about obedience, such as “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47), and identify blessings of obedience mentioned in the song. Discuss some of the things God has commanded us to do. How does God bless us when we keep those commandments?
Sing a song about obedience, such as “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47), and invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21and 132:5. Help them find words and ideas in the verses that are similar to those in the song. How do we receive blessings from God? Ask the children to share how they have been blessed for obeying God’s laws.
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 132:21–23, and invite the children to draw pictures to represent what they learn from these verses. Encourage them to be creative, and suggest that they include in their drawings the laws or commandments that help us stay on the narrow way to eternal life.
Friend March 1997 “My Choices Have Consequences” Turn the top disk to see a commandment from Heavenly Father. Read the scripture in the other window to find out what blessings are promised to those who keep that commandment. (Link has additional lesson ideas.)
You could sing a song about gratitude, such as “Count Your Blessings” (Hymns, no. 241), and make a list of the blessings your family has received for obeying God’s laws. What blessings do we hope to receive? How can we receive those blessings?
When we understand that God the Father and Jesus Christ have bodies like ours, we feel closer to Them, and our relationship with Them is strengthened.
Show the children a picture of Jesus Christ, and invite them to point to His eyes, mouth, and other parts of His body. Then invite them to stand and point to those same parts of their own bodies. Read from Doctrine and Covenants 130:22: “The Father has a body of flesh and bones … ; the Son also.” Testify that our bodies are like Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s bodies.
Sing together a song about our bodies, such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” (Children’s Songbook, 275), and invite the children to do actions that go along with the words. Ask the children to tell you some things they can do with their bodies. Express your gratitude for the body God has given you. How can we show we are thankful for this special gift?
Invite the children to draw pictures of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and themselves. Help them see how our bodies are like Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s.
Friend August 2016 “God is Our Father” God our Father has ears with which to hear our prayers. He has eyes with which to see our actions. He has a mouth with which to speak to us. He has a heart with which to feel compassion and love. He is real. He is living. We are his children made in His image. We look like Him and He looks like us.
1–4, Celestial marriage is essential to exaltation in the highest heaven; 5–6, How men are sealed up unto eternal life is explained; 7–8, All spirit is matter.
SECTION 132
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant and the principle of plural marriage. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, evidence indicates that some of the principles involved in this revelation were known by the Prophet as early as 1831. See Official Declaration 1.
1–6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7–14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15–20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21–25, The strait and narrow way leads to eternal lives; 26–27, The law is given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28–39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation are made to prophets and Saints in all ages; 40–47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48–50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51–57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58–66, Laws governing plural marriage are set forth.
Heavenly Father Made it Possible for Families to be Together Forever.
Through Joseph Smith, the Lord restored the ordinances and authority needed to make these relationships eternal (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:7, 18–19).
Through the Lord’s sealing power and the ordinances of the temple, our family relationships can last eternally if we keep our covenants.
Help the children think of examples of things that do not last forever—food that spoils, flowers that wither, and so on. Show a picture of your family, and share how you feel about them. Testify that the Lord has made it possible, through the ordinances of the temple, for families to last forever.
Open the Doctrine and Covenants to section 132, and tell the children that this is a revelation to Joseph Smith about marriage and families. Show them verse 19, and point to the words “through all eternity” as you read them. Invite the children to read these words with you.
Help the children make paper dolls representing members of their family (see this week’s activity page). Cut them out, and put them in an envelope or attach them together with a paper clip to represent the sealing power that can make our families eternal.
Regardless of our current family situation, we can make choices now that will prepare us to receive the blessings of an eternal family in the future.
Ask some of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and others to read 132:15. Help them discover what these verses teach about marriage. Select key phrases from 132:19 (such as “if a man marry a wife,” “everlasting covenant,” “sealed,” “abide in my covenant,” “through all eternity,” and “forever and ever”), and ask the children to find these phrases in the verse. What do these phrases teach us about marriage?
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188), or review “Chapter 55: A Revelation about Marriage” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 198). Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal. Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Ask some of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 131:1–4 and others to read 132:15. Help them discover what these verses teach about marriage. Select key phrases from 132:19 (such as “if a man marry a wife,” “everlasting covenant,” “sealed,” “abide in my covenant,” “through all eternity,” and “forever and ever”), and ask the children to find these phrases in the verse. What do these phrases teach us about marriage?
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188), or review “Chapter 55: A Revelation about Marriage” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 198). Ask the children to listen for and be prepared to share what we must do so that our families can be eternal. Testify that no matter our current family situation, we can prepare ourselves to be part of an eternal family.
Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188).
Jesus taught that families are important. In the temple, we can be sealed to our families forever (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:19).
Make a family tree! Have each family member make a paper leaf and write their name on it. On another paper, draw a tree trunk. Then glue or tape the leaves to the top of the tree.
Share with the children the information about Brigham Young in “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 184), or summarize Doctrine and Covenants 126 in your own words. Then read Doctrine and Covenants 126:3 to the children, emphasizing the phrase “take especial care of your family.” What does it mean to take care of our families? Help the children think of ways they can show love to their family members.
Before class, invite the children to bring a picture of their family (or ask them to draw pictures). Then ask them to share something they love about their family. Share a picture of your family, and do the same. Explain why Heavenly Father wants us to care for our family members. Sing a song that teaches this truth, such as “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198).
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 126:3. Why might Heavenly Father have asked Brigham Young to “take especial care of [his] family”? How can we do the same for our families? Make a list of the things we can do now to serve our families. How will doing these things help us become more like Heavenly Father?
Share with the children Sister Carole M. Stephens’s story about her grandson Porter (see “We Have Great Reason to Rejoice,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 115). What did Porter do to take care of his family? How can we follow his example?
Reading this counsel to Brigham Young might inspire your family to talk about how you might spend more time taking “especial care of” (verse 3) each other.
An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, containing directions on baptism for the dead, dated at Nauvoo, September 1, 1842.
1–4, Joseph Smith glories in persecution and tribulation; 5–12, Records must be kept relative to baptisms for the dead.
SECTION 128
An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing further directions on baptism for the dead, dated at Nauvoo, Illinois, September 6, 1842.
1–5, Local and general recorders must certify to the fact of baptisms for the dead; 6–9, Their records are binding and recorded on earth and in heaven; 10–14, The baptismal font is a similitude of the grave; 15–17, Elijah restored power relative to baptism for the dead; 18–21, All of the keys, powers, and authorities of past dispensations have been restored; 22–25, Glad and glorious tidings are acclaimed for the living and the dead.
All of God’s Children Need the Chance to be Baptized.
In August 1840, a grieving Jane Neyman listened to the Prophet Joseph speak at the funeral of his friend Seymour Brunson. Jane’s own teenage son Cyrus had also recently passed away. Adding to her grief was the fact that Cyrus had never been baptized, and Jane worried what this would mean for his eternal soul. Joseph knew how she felt; he had wondered the same thing about his beloved brother Alvin, who also died before being baptized. So the Prophet decided to share with Jane, and everyone else at the funeral, what the Lord had revealed to him about those who had died without receiving the ordinances of the gospel—and what we can do to help them.
The doctrine of baptism for the dead thrilled the Saints; their thoughts turned immediately to deceased parents, grandparents, and other family members. Now there was hope for them! Joseph shared their joy, and he used joyful, enthusiastic language to express what the Lord taught him about the salvation of the dead: “Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King!” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:23).
Show a picture of Jesus Christ being baptized (see Gospel Art Book, no. 35), or show the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children if they have ever seen someone get baptized. What do they remember about it? Use the picture or video to show the children that when we are baptized, we go all the way under the water and then back up, just like Jesus did. Open to Doctrine and Covenants 128:12, and explain that Joseph Smith taught that being baptized reminds us of the Resurrection.
Tell the children about someone you know (such as an ancestor) who died without being baptized. Read Doctrine and Covenants 128:5, and let them take turns holding a picture of a temple baptismal font (see this week’s outlinein Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Testify that Heavenly Father allows us to be baptized on earth for people who are dead. This way all of God’s children can be baptized and make covenants with Him.
Baptism for the dead creates “a welding link” between me and my ancestors.
Divide the class in two groups, and ask the first group to read Doctrine and Covenants 128:1 to find out what subject occupied Joseph Smith’s mind. Ask the other group to read verse 17 and find out what subject he considered “the most glorious.” Let them share what they find, and talk about why this subject is so glorious. If possible, invite a youth who has done baptisms for the dead to share his or her experience and explain why we do this work.
Consider using an object lesson to show that we need to help our ancestors who were not baptized. For example, display a gift or a treat, but place it out of reach of one of the children. Tell that child that he or she can have the object but can’t move from his or her seat. Ask the other children what they can do to help the child receive it. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:15, and talk about how it relates to the object lesson.
Invite the children to make a paper chain with names of their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on (see the activity page for this lesson). If the children don’t know their ancestors’ names, encourage them to find out the names and write them on the chain at home. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 to find out what the “welding link” is that makes our family history “whole and complete.” Tell a story about an ancestor that helps you feel connected to him or her. Or show the video “Courage: I Think I Get It from Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Show the children a temple recommend, and tell them how you obtain one. Help them look forward to getting their own temple recommends so they can go to the temple and be baptized for their own ancestors.
Gospel Topics “Baptism for the Dead” Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.
Jesus Christ said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized (see Matthew 3:13–17).
Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.
Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.
Gospel Media “Baptism for the Dead/ Now You Know” The below video refers to church members as Mormons. A discussion about the church name, and the nickname others give the church, may be needed in order to avoid confusion.
Friend April 2020 “The Temple and You” Before the Church was restored, many people believed that if someone in their family died without being baptized, they would never see them again. But because of the Restoration, we can be baptized for them in the temple. We can be sealed together for eternity!
Friend January 2020 “For Older Kids” Each temple baptism font rests on the backs of twelve oxen. They stand for the twelve tribes of Israel and remind us that the Lord wants to gather all people into His Church. Unscramble the letters to find out which temple this font is in.
Create a paper chain with names of people in your family (see this week’s activity page), and bring it to show the class. Tell a few things about the people on your chain. Read to the children from Doctrine and Covenants 128:18, and explain that Joseph Smith taught that “there is a welding link … between the fathers and the children.” Help the children make their own family chains, and invite them to take the chains home and have their parents help them add names of ancestors.
Ask the children to share something about one of their grandparents. Tell one of your favorite stories about your parents or grandparents. Show pictures if possible. Encourage the children to learn more about their grandparents and other ancestors.
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Sister Jones, the general primary president, challenges a 12 year old boy to find a family name to take to the temple. He later writes to her letter telling of his success and of his opportunity to be baptized in the temple for his 3rd great grandfather and how that felt. He also tells her of his desire to do more.
Friend November 2021 “They’re Waiting for Me!” Giselle lives in India, and she can’t wait until the temple is built there so she can do baptisms for her ancestors who have died without knowledge of the gospel. (Photos at link)
Friend October 2019 “The Temple Challenge” Temple Scramble: This girl has taken a family name to the temple. Can you put the pictures in order?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 124”As difficult as the last six years had been for the Saints, things started to look up in the spring of 1839: The refugee Saints had found compassion among the citizens of Quincy, Illinois. Guards had allowed the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders to escape captivity in Missouri. And the Church had just purchased land in Illinois where the Saints could gather again. Yes, it was swampy, mosquito-infested land, but compared to the challenges the Saints had already faced, this probably seemed manageable. So they drained the swamp and drafted a charter for a new city, which they named Nauvoo. It means “beautiful” in Hebrew, though it was more an expression of faith than an accurate description, at least at first. Meanwhile, the Lord was impressing His Prophet with a sense of urgency. He had more truths and ordinances to restore, and He needed a holy temple where the Saints could receive them. In many ways, these same feelings of faith and urgency are important in the Lord’s work today.
If the Lord told your family “to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel” to “the kings of the world” (verses 2–3), what would your proclamation say? Consider creating one together, and invite family members to suggest gospel truths they want to include.
Help the children think of things they can do that are good. Show pictures to give them ideas (you can find some in the Gospel Art Book or Church magazines). Ask the children to point to these good things. Read Doctrine and Covenants 124:15 to the children, and ask them to listen for how the Lord felt when Hyrum Smith chose to do good. How does Jesus feel when we try to do good things?
Give the children paper hearts, and ask them to draw pictures of themselves doing good things. Invite them to share what they drew with the class. How do we feel when we do something good? Testify that Jesus is happy when we try to do the right thing.
Sing a song about doing things that Jesus wants us to do, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61).
Choose some good qualities mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 124:12–21, and write them on the board around a picture of the Savior. Ask the children to search verses 12–21, looking for these words. Help them understand words that they might not be familiar with. According to these verses, how does the Lord feel about people who develop these qualities?
Write the word integrity on the board. Invite the children to learn what the Lord said about integrity in Doctrine and Covenants 124:15, 20. To help the children understand what integrity is, read this statement: “Integrity means thinking and doing what is right at all times, no matter what the consequences” (For the Strength of Youth, 19). You could also share examples of a child demonstrating integrity from your own experience or from the Friend or Liahona magazines. Challenge the children to set a goal to act with more integrity this week.
Help the children understand that when the Saints found a new home in Nauvoo, the Lord told them to build a temple (see “Chapter 50: The Saints in Nauvoo” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 183–84, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite the children to pretend they are building a temple.
Read with the children this phrase: “My holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:39). Let the children hold a picture of an ancient temple (see Gospel Art Book,no. 52 or this week’s activity page) and a picture of a temple in your area. Explain that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have always commanded Their people to build temples—in ancient times and in our day. Share words and phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 124:28–29 to help the children understand why the Lord wants us to build temples.
Invite the children to complete this week’s activity page to help them understand that we are God’s people and that God’s people have always been commanded to build temples.
Cover a picture or drawing of the temple. Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 124:38–41 for clues about what is in the picture. Let the children uncover the picture and discuss what these verses teach about why the Lord wants us to build temples.
Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 124:28–30 to look for reasons the Lord gave Joseph Smith for building the Nauvoo Temple. Share your feelings about the temple and any experiences you may have had doing baptisms for the dead. Help the children determine how long it will be before they are old enough to do baptisms for the dead in the temple.
If you have a temple recommend, show it to the children, or invite a youth in the ward to show the children his or her recommend. Tell the children why a temple recommend is important and what we need to do to obtain one. Encourage them to begin preparing now to obtain their own recommend.
Why Baptism for the Dead
Gospel Topics “Baptism for the Dead” Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.
Jesus Christ said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized (see Matthew 3:13–17).
Many people have lived on the earth who never heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who were not baptized. Others lived without fully understanding the importance of the ordinance of baptism. Still others were baptized, but without proper authority.
Because He is a loving God, the Lord does not damn those people who, through no fault of their own, never had the opportunity for baptism. He has therefore authorized baptisms to be performed by proxy for them. A living person, often a descendant who has become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is baptized in behalf of a deceased person. This work is done by Church members in temples throughout the world.
Gospel Media “Baptism for the Dead/ Now You Know” The below video refers to church members as Mormons. A discussion about the church name, and the nickname others give the church, may be needed in order to avoid confusion.
Preparing to Go to the Temple
Friend October 2021 “A Holy Place” The words are on every temple. “Holiness to the Lord” reminds us that we need to be worthy to go inside. Ways to prepare to go to the temple.
Friend October 2021 “Temple Countdown” You can receive your temple recommend in January of the year you turn 12! Follow these steps to find out how many years, months, and days you have until you can get yours.
Temple Recommend
Friend October 2021 “Ready for the Temple” Ajan will be turning twelve soon, but he lives far from a temple. Their ministering brother explained that he doesn’t get to go to the temple very often either, but his recommend reminds him to always be ready to go inside. Ajan wants to get a recommend and be ready too.
Friend September 2021 “For Older Kids” Temple Prep Tip: Even if you live far away from the temple, you can still get a temple recommend in January of the year you turn 12! Talk to a parent or leader about the temple recommend questions. What can you do now to prepare to get your recommend?
Where possible, visit the temple grounds, touch the temple, or view temple photos online.
Draw or build a model of your temple with readily available materials such as stones and mud, clay, play dough, or blocks. Later, do it again for a different temple.
Act out meaningful family stories or make traditional family recipes. Explain the importance of knowing about our ancestors.
For 8–11-year-olds:
As a family, regularly read and discuss together the temple recommend interview questions. Encourage your children to be worthy of a recommend regardless of when they will be able to attend.
Teach about the power, protection, and importance of keeping covenants and promises.4
Share personal temple experiences or stories from family members, including extended family.
As your child turns 10 or 11, create a simple calendar to count down the days, weeks, or months until they can enter the temple.
Discuss together the scripture story of the Savior in the temple at age 12 (see Luke 2:42–51).
Create a plan to prepare for your child’s first visit to the temple. Where possible, make it a family event. To help your child feel more comfortable, include talking about the practical aspects of temple baptisms and confirmations, such as what to wear to and in the temple, where they will enter the baptistry, who will help them, how baptisms and confirmations are performed, and the order of what will happen inside.
Learn to do family history work and prepare family names to take to the temple.
Invite one of the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92, and invite the class to listen for what the Lord called Hyrum Smith to do. What do the children know about patriarchal blessings? If you have received a patriarchal blessing, show the children what it looks like. (Remember that the specific content of your patriarchal blessing is sacred.) Explain that patriarchal blessings are special blessings we get from patriarchs. These blessings can help us learn more about ourselves and what Heavenly Father wants us to do.
Consider inviting a parent or sibling of one of the children you teach to share with the class why they are grateful for their patriarchal blessing. Ask them to share how they decided they wanted to get their blessing. Bear your testimony of patriarchal blessings.
“A Blessing for Katy” (January 2014 Friend) Beth learns about patriarchal blessings when her older cousin Katy gets one. Her mom tells her that “Katy’s patriarchal blessing will be like a map that shows Katy how to get back to Heavenly Father. It will tell her about good choices she should make and warn her about things that might be harmful. It will tell her about wonderful blessings she will receive when she follows Heavenly Father’s commandments. It will guide Katy through her whole life.”
360-degree views of historic sites associated with the Doctrine and Covenants in this outline, click here.This link is for Google Maps. Click on the man icon at the bottom right of the screen and then click on the street by the historic site you wish to view and the street view will appear.
“A Walk around Nauvoo” (June 2011 Friend) Use a straw to blow a coin to different locations on this map of Nauvoo.
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841. Because of increasing persecutions and illegal procedures against them by public officers, the Saints had been compelled to leave Missouri. The exterminating order issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, governor of Missouri, dated October 27, 1838, had left them no alternative. In 1841, when this revelation was given, the city of Nauvoo, occupying the site of the former village of Commerce, Illinois, had been built up by the Saints, and here the headquarters of the Church had been established.
1–14, Joseph Smith is commanded to make a solemn proclamation of the gospel to the president of the United States, the governors, and the rulers of all nations; 15–21, Hyrum Smith, David W. Patten, Joseph Smith Sr., and others among the living and the dead are blessed for their integrity and virtues; 22–28, The Saints are commanded to build both a house for the entertainment of strangers and a temple in Nauvoo; 29–36, Baptisms for the dead are to be performed in temples; 37–44, The Lord’s people always build temples for the performance of holy ordinances; 45–55, The Saints are excused from building the temple in Jackson County because of the oppression of their enemies; 56–83, Directions are given for the building of the Nauvoo House; 84–96, Hyrum Smith is called to be a patriarch, to receive the keys, and to stand in the place of Oliver Cowdery; 97–122, William Law and others are counseled in their labors; 123–45, General and local officers are named, along with their duties and quorum affiliations.
Book of Mormon Stories Before Nephi died, he gave the plates he had written on to his younger brother Jacob. This meant that Jacob would also be the spiritual leader of the people. Jacob 1:1–2, 8
Nephi told Jacob to write the things that would help the people believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 1:4–6
Nephi gave his younger brothers Jacob and Joseph the power to be priests and teachers in the Church and to teach the Nephites the word of God. Jacob 1:18
Go through the Fifth Article of Faith and explain that Nephi would have prayed to find out who God wanted called to certain responsibilities. He then would have “consecrated” Jacob and Joseph for those responsibilities by the laying on of hands because he had the priesthood authority from God to do so.
Jacob and Joseph labored diligently among their people, that they might persuade them to come unto Christ and partake of the goodness of God Jacob 1:7
Make simple puppets to represent Jacob and Joseph, Nephi’s younger brothers, who were leaders in the Church. Share some verses from Jacob 1 and 2 to explain what Church leaders are called to do. For example, leaders persuade us to “believe in Christ” (Jacob 1:8), invite us to repent (see Jacob 2:5–6, 9–10), and “declare [God’s] word” (Jacob 2:2, 11). Let the children use the puppets to pretend to do some of these things.
Invite the children to name some Church leaders they know, like Primary leaders, bishopric members, and prophets and apostles. Help the children think of ways these leaders bless us.
Senior Primary
Read with the children Jacob 1:6–8 and 2:1–6, 11, helping them look for phrases that describe how God’s servants lead the Church. Ask them to write these phrases on pieces of paper and then display the papers on the board. Why does God call Church leaders to guide us? Ask the children to share experiences with learning or receiving guidance from a Church leader or teacher and the blessings they received.
Ask the children to draw a picture of a Church leader they know about, and let the rest of the class guess who they drew. What do these leaders do to help us follow Jesus Christ? Invite the children to write notes to Church leaders, thanking them for their service.
Invite a local Church leader to tell the children what he or she does to fulfill his or her calling. Ask the children to name some things they can do to sustain their leaders.
Help the children name some of their Church leaders, such as the Primary president, the bishop, and the President of the Church. Explain that these leaders ask Heavenly Father to bless the children and help them live righteously. Consider telling the children what you say when you pray for them. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians”)
The Red Crystal Put the stepping stones on the ground and say the words as the students step on each one. Then move them farther apart so they have to hop to each stone while saying the same words
Friend June 2019 “Living My Standards” When Becky Craven (Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency) was young she moved a lot with her family. It was difficult because she was shy, but because of the gospel and her commitment living the gospel, she learned how to stand up for what was right and be a good example to others.
Friend November 2018 “Our Women Leaders” Learn a little bit about the 2018 leaders of Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women’s by matching their pictures with their info cards.
Ask the children to read Hebrews 7:1–2 and look for the titles used to describe Melchizedek. How do these titles remind us of Jesus Christ? Help them think of ways in which Jesus was a “King of peace.” Invite them to talk about other priesthood holders who are also an example of following the Savior. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Hebrews 7-13” )
Friend August 2021 “The Power of a Priesthood Blessing” Heavenly Father’s priesthood power blesses our lives in many ways. The cards below show some of the blessings we can all have because of the priesthood. Cut them out and put them face down. Then take turns choosing one and telling how it has helped you or will help you someday!
Draw a simple picture of your bishop on the board. Ask the children to name some things they know about the bishop. What is he like? What does he do? How does he bless the ward? (You can find some characteristics of a bishop in 1 Timothy 3:1–2 and Titus 1:7–9.) As the children share their ideas, write them on strips of paper and let the children place them on the board by the drawing.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Write the duties of a bishop on slips of paper—such as helping children and youth in the ward, accepting tithing and fast offerings, extending callings, interviewing members, and helping those in need. Place these slips in a bowl, and invite each child to pick one. Then help the child to role-play these duties with you. Share your testimony that your bishop is called of God. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon” )
Little children may not know a lot about what their bishop does to serve them and other ward members. You can help them appreciate their bishop’s service.
Bring items to class that represent the responsibilities of a bishop, such as a tithing slip, the scriptures, or a picture of a bishop giving counsel (see the picture at the end of this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Read Doctrine and Covenants 72:2, and explain that the Lord has called a bishop to help us. Use the items you brought to help the children understand some of the things a bishop does to serve the ward.
“A Day with the Bishop” (August 1990 Liahona and July 1989 Friend) Explains some of the things a bishop does. Includes an activity.
Take the children on a walk to the bishop’s office (you may want to coordinate with other teachers). Describe for them some situations when they might meet with the bishop in his office (such as a baptismal interview or tithing settlement). Tell the children how you have been blessed by the bishop’s service.
Help the children make cards to give to the bishop, thanking him for what he does to help with the Lord’s work.
Sing “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (Children’s Songbook,177).
Jesus taught that His Church should have bishops to lead and help the members (see Doctrine and Covenants 72:2).
Say thanks to your bishop or branch president by doing something kind. You could write him nice notes or bring him a treat. You could even do your plan without letting him know who did it!
A bishop can have a strong positive influence in the life of a young person. What can you do to help the children see the bishop as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Explain that in 1831 the Lord called the bishop of the Church, Edward Partridge, to move from Kirtland, Ohio, to be the bishop in Independence, Missouri. Read Doctrine and Covenants 72:8 with the children, and ask them to listen for who the Lord called to serve as the new bishop in Kirtland. Why does the Lord call bishops? Share with the children an experience when you were blessed by the service of a bishop.
Invite the children to make a list of some of the things they have seen the bishop do to help people in the ward. Ask the children to draw pictures of the bishop doing something they mentioned. Bear your testimony that your bishop was called by the Lord to be His servant. Why are we grateful that the Lord has called a bishop in our ward?
“Bishop, Help!” (April 2004 Friend) Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches us about the special calling of a bishop.
Following our Leaders
Friend May 2020 “The Little Red Bread Wagon” The Bishop asked ward members to help others. Sammy’s father prayed to know what to do, and the idea came to make bread to share. Sammy helped his father decide who to take bread to, and he helped him deliver the bread with his wagon.
I Can Help “Bear the Burden” of Doing the Lord’s Work.
Invite the children to draw many circles on the board to represent members of the ward. Draw a circle labeled bishop. Why would it be a problem if the bishop were the only one helping everyone else? Read together Exodus 18:13–26 to find out what advice Jethro gave when Moses was trying to do everything himself. Ask the children to label other circles to represent other ward leaders and members who help the bishop serve others. How do these other leaders and members make the bishop’s burden lighter? How can we do the same for our ward leaders? for our parents at home?
Friend December 2019 “Notes for Sister Puckett” Tyler was excited to become a deacon so he could serve and minister like his parents do. (His father takes notes in sacrament for Sister Puckett who is sick, and his mom made taco soup for her.)
Help the children make a list of leaders in your ward. As a class, select one and discuss what this person does to accomplish the Lord’s work and what the children can do to help. (Suggestions: Primary leaders, Primary teachers, chorister, librarians)
Friend December 2018 Match each sentence with a picture. In the blank spot, draw yourself helping at church.
I can put away a hymnbook.
I can pick up trash I see.
I can help hold up a picture.
I can sit so reverently!
Giving Talks, Singing, Playing Instruments
Friend June 2018 “A Baptism Song” Elizabeth and her sister sang at a baptism which helped those attending to feel the Spirit.
“Prayer Power” (March 2019 Liahona and Friend) Lucy and her family pray for their church leaders.
Story: It was hard for Moses to lead his people by himself. His wife’s father, Jethro, told Moses to let other people help “bear the burden” (Exodus 18:21–22).
Song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79)
Activity: Have one person stand and hold their arms out. Put a book in each of their hands. Add more books until they are too heavy to hold up. Then have two people hold the person’s arms up. Is it easier to carry a burden when you have help? How can you help others? How can you ask for help?
Invite the children to take turns reading verses from 2 Thessalonians 3:7–13 and look for the problem the Saints were facing. Why does Heavenly Father want us to work? What would happen if we never learned to work hard? Let the children take turns acting out simple chores while the other children guess what they are doing. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 and 2 Thessalonians”)
Friend July 2016 Picking thorny blackberries was not fun, but a boy learned about responsibility and the rewards of work.
Draw attention to skills and talents each individual in the family has worked to develop in the past few months, or year. (Mention skills such as tying shoes, making the bed, reading, playing an instrument, or cooking.) Ask each person how he felt when he accomplished that skill or developed that talent. Discuss how these new skills improve the individual, the family, and the community.
Discuss as a family the good feeling that can come while working to accomplish a chore or a job and the satisfaction that comes when that job is completed. Point out that this satisfaction is part of the reward.
Invite each child to take a turn acting out how they would do a chore, such as cleaning their room or washing dishes at home. Read Doctrine and Covenants 75:3, and ask the children to show how they would do it lazily when you say “neither be idle” and show how to work hard when you say “but labor with your might.” Why is it important that we do our best?
Share with the children President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s stories about work from “Two Principles for Any Economy” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 55–58). How do we feel when we know we have done our best?
Friend July 2016 Picking thorny blackberries was not fun, but a boy learned about responsibility and the rewards of work.
Friend October 2023 “Go Forward and Harvest On!” Elder Hugo Montoya tells of harvesting grapes with his family as a child. Each time they took grapes to their father, he would say, “Go forward and harvest on.” When we work hard and follow what God asks us to do, we can find joy in life.
Friend October 2023 “It’s Harvest Time” When Elder Montoya was young, he helped his family harvest grapes. Circle what is different between the two pictures!
Working for Something Helps You Appreciate It More
Working Brings Personal Satisfaction
Friend October 2023 “Margo and Paolo” Paulo broke his easel. He works to earn money to buy a new one. He said,”It feels good to work hard for something important to me!”
Friend August 2016 ” For Parents of Little Ones” Letting children help around the house makes the children feel capable and valued as contributing family members.
Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Play a game or activity that involves taking turns, like stacking blocks to make a tower. Each time it’s your child’s turn, help them say, “We can work together.”
Friend May 2016 Ideas on how to help little ones be more willing to do chores.
Ensign April 2020 “Teaching Children the Value of Work” Include children in creating a family work plan. In a family council, discuss the work that needs to be done to maintain the home and yard. Talk about how these duties can be shared among family members. Children will be more motivated to help if they are part of this process. Be mindful of children’s ages and capabilities, but give them opportunities to try hard things.
Find a fun way to track progress and reward their work. Have everyone place a cotton ball (or some other item) in a jar when a task is finished. When the jar is full, go on a family adventure. Or make a pizza chart and have each child color a slice when their work is done. When the chart is full, have a pizza party.
Tell or read the story. Show on the map where the various events occurred. You may want to have a child place a small marker on the map as you mention each place.
SECTION 121
Prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith the Prophet in an epistle to the Church while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839. The Prophet and several companions had been months in prison. Their petitions and appeals directed to the executive officers and the judiciary had failed to bring them relief.
1–6, The Prophet pleads with the Lord for the suffering Saints; 7–10, The Lord speaks peace to him; 11–17, Cursed are all those who raise false cries of transgression against the Lord’s people; 18–25, They will not have right to the priesthood and will be damned; 26–32, Glorious revelations promised those who endure valiantly; 33–40, Why many are called and few are chosen; 41–46, The priesthood should be used only in righteousness.
SECTION 122
The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).
1–4, The ends of the earth will inquire after the name of Joseph Smith; 5–7, All his perils and travails will give him experience and be for his good; 8–9, The Son of Man has descended below them all.
Label a paper bag Adversity and place inside it several objects that could each represent a type of adversity, such as a piece of money to suggest financial difficulties, an empty medicine bottle to suggest illness, a fork or spoon to suggest hunger, a schoolbook to suggest difficulties in school, or a picture or drawing of an angry face to suggest a friend who is angry or unkind.
Have each child take an object out of the bag and explain how the object could represent adversity, how a person might deal with that type of adversity, and where a person might go for help with that type of adversity. Make sure the children mention that they can turn to Heavenly Father for help in adversity. Tell the children that in this lesson they will learn about a terrible adversity that Joseph Smith and other Church leaders faced and how they were strengthened by this experience.
One way the Savior comforted Joseph Smith while he suffered in Liberty Jail was by teaching him that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). This truth can bless the children when they face their own trials.
The Lord’s words to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail provide an opportunity to help the children recognize that sometimes life is hard, but Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help us.
Invite the children to listen for the word “peace” as you share with them “Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74) or Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8. Help the children think of ways we can trust the Lord as Joseph did so that we can feel peace. Explain that even though Joseph experienced hard things, the Lord was with him.
To help the children recognize that our trials “shall be for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7), talk to them about how our muscles grow when we carry something heavy. Let them pretend to lift a heavy object or do hard work. Explain that going through hard times can help our spirits grow—if we turn to the Lord for help. Share some examples that the children you teach would relate to. Invite them to repeat with you the phrase “All these things shall … be for [our] good.”
Invite the children to share what they know about Joseph Smith’s experience in prison and the Saints being forced from Missouri (see chapters 45–47 of Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 167–75). Ask the children how they would feel if they were Joseph Smith or one of the Saints at this time. Read with the children Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9, and invite them to find something the Lord said that would have brought them peace. How can our hard experiences “be for [our] good”?
Take turns lifting something heavy. Talk about how lifting that load is like going through a hard time. How can trials make us stronger and help us grow? Now lift the object with someone else’s help. Remind everyone that Jesus Christ helps us carry our load.
Why is adversity for our good? Adversity can help us become more like Jesus Christ; It can help us to develop empathy, patience, kindness, humility, faith and trust in God, reliance on God, etc. Ask the children if they would like to share how an adversity they suffered was for their gain.
List everyday problems on wordstrips and place them in a bowl. Have each person draw one and identify blessings that could come from such adversity. (Sickness, for example, can increase our compassion for the sick and our appreciation for the blessing of good health.)
Tell of a trial (either from your own life or from one of your ancestors) that has strengthened and blessed you.
Ask each one to say how some difficult experience he has had has been helpful to him—what he has learned from it, or how he has been blessed from it.
Encourage family members to recognize trials as challenges. Remind them to seek the Lord’s help in overcoming them.
Ask two children to hold the ends of a string that is long enough to stretch across the room. Ask another child to pinch a point on the string. Read Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8, and explain that the string represents the years of eternity and that the small point being pinched is like our years on earth. What does it mean that our trials on earth are for “a small moment”?
Help the children imagine what it would be like to spend four months in a place like Liberty Jail. What would we miss most? How would we spend our time? What did Joseph Smith learn in Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9 that helped him endure this experience? Encourage the children to write a letter to someone who is having a difficult time, and suggest they use something from Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–9; 122:7–9 in their letter.
The bottom level of the county jail in Liberty, Missouri, was known as the dungeon. The walls were thick, the stone floor was cold and filthy, the food—what there was of it—was rotten, and the only light came from two narrow, iron-barred windows near the ceiling. This dungeon is where Joseph Smith and a few of his brethren spent most of their imprisonment—four frigid months during the winter of 1838–39—awaiting trial for charges of treason against the state of Missouri. During this time, Joseph was constantly receiving news about the suffering of the Saints. The peace and optimism of Far West had lasted only a few months, and now the Saints were homeless once again, driven into the wilderness in search of yet another place to start over—this time with their Prophet in prison.
No wonder Joseph Smith cried out, “O God, where art thou?” The answers he received, the “knowledge from heaven” that came “pouring down” in that miserable jail, demonstrate that although it may not always feel like it, God is never far away. No power can “stay the heavens,” the Prophet learned. “God shall be with [His faithful Saints] forever and ever.” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1, 33; 122:9.)
When we or those we love are in the midst of suffering, it is normal to wonder if God is aware of us. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6, think about times when you have had questions or feelings similar to Joseph Smith’s. What do you find in the Lord’s response that might help you when you have those questions or feelings? For example, in verses 7–10, 26–33, notice the blessings He promises to those who “endure [affliction] well.” As you read section 122, consider how the Lord wants you to view your adversities.
In what seemed like a powerless condition in Liberty Jail, Joseph was given revelation about power—not the political or military power that had been exerted over the Saints but “the powers of heaven.” As you read Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46, what do you learn about God’s power? How is it different from worldly power? For example, look at the words the Lord uses in verses 41–43 to describe “power or influence.” What do they teach about how God maintains His “power or influence”? Perhaps these verses could inspire you to ponder your life and what you can do to be an influence for good in your relationships with others.
Perhaps an analogy would help your family understand “the powers of heaven.” For example, you could compare God’s power to electrical power; what might prevent an electrical device from receiving power? What does this analogy, along with verses 34–36, 41–45, teach us about how to increase our spiritual power? Maybe family members could share stories from the Savior’s life that exemplify these attributes.
Draw a line with the words high power at one end and low power at the other. Draw an arrow pointing at the middle of the line. Choose several words or phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46 that teach how we decrease or increase heavenly power in our lives (such as “cover our sins,” “pride,” “gentleness,” and “love”). Invite the children to take turns picking a word, deciding if the word leads to a decrease or increase in power, and moving the arrow accordingly. Talk with the children about people they know who have been a good influence on others because they follow the Lord’s counsel in these verses.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–42, 45, and ask the children to list qualities in these verses that the Lord wants us to have. Help them define any words they don’t understand. Assign each child one quality, and help them think of a way that they can show it. Once they have all shared, ask them to read verses 45–46 and list the blessings they will receive if they develop those qualities.
Read together the first line of Doctrine and Covenants 121:46. How can the Holy Ghost be our “constant companion”? Sing together “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105) or another song about the gift of the Holy Ghost. What does the song teach us about why we want the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion?
In Liberty Jail, Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith that He had descended below all things (see Doctrine and Covenants 122:8). This means that He knows what we are going through and we can turn to Him.
To help the children learn to turn to Christ when they experience hard things, ask them to show you what their faces look like when they are sad or hurt or scared. Who can help us when we feel this way? Read Doctrine and Covenants 122:8, and explain that this means that Jesus Christ knows how we feel, and He can help us.
Sing together “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55), and testify that Jesus Christ can help us because He knows how we feel.
Who has felt the pain of all of these trials? Imagine how it would feel to carry them all.
Discussion: In what ways does the Lord understand us, help us, and turn our trials into experiences that “shall be for [our] good”? (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). For ideas, see Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lessons from Liberty Jail,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, 29–32.
Joseph Smith learned that none of the adversity he experienced during his mortal life would ever equal what Jesus Christ suffered during His mortal mission.
Jesus descended to be tempted, mocked, scourged, cast out, and disowned, even though He was all-powerful.
He descended to be judged of the world, even though He was the Judge of the world.
He descended to be lifted on the cross and slain for the sins of the world, even though no man could take away His life.
“Jesus, in the course of the Atonement, experienced all of the heartache and sorrow, all of the disappointments and injustices that the entire family of man had experienced and would experience from Adam and Eve to the end of the world in order that we would not have to face them so severely or so deeply. However heavy our load might be, it would be a lot heavier if the Savior had not gone that way before us and carried that burden with us and for us.”
“Furthermore, we note that not only has the Savior suffered, in His case entirely innocently, but so have most of the prophets and other great men and women recorded in the scriptures. The point is this: if you are having a bad day, you’ve got a lot of company—very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived” (“Lessons from Liberty Jail,” 31).
“And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.”2
SECTION 123
Duty of the Saints in relation to their persecutors, as written by Joseph Smith the Prophet while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).
1–6, The Saints should collect and publish an account of their sufferings and persecutions; 7–10, The same spirit that established the false creeds also leads to persecution of the Saints; 11–17, Many among all sects will yet receive the truth.
Even though Joseph Smith was in jail and the Saints had been driven from their homes, he encouraged the Saints to “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.”
Read to the children Doctrine and Covenants 123:17, and invite them to stand and cheer when they hear the word “cheerfully.” Invite them to pretend to do different acts of service in a cheerful way.
Sing together a song about cheerful service such as “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198). Help the children think of ways they can cheerfully serve their family and friends.
We Worry Less About Ourselves when We Serve Others
Friend November 2020 “120 Happy People” A family does a service project every year on the birthday of their baby who died because serving helps them feel thankful for what they have, and when they feel thankful, then happiness replaces the sad feelings. For this years project they decide to send thank you notes to people every day and help 120 people feel happy.
Friend August 2018 “The Lemonade Stand” After terrorist attacks, a girl and her friends are afraid. The girl also wants to help the victims but doesn’t know how. The neighborhood decides to host a lemonade stand to help raise money for the firefighters and their families. After helping with the lemonade stand, she feels better. Her mom tell she her that when she is being like Jesus, the Holy Ghost can help her feel happy and safe.
Friend June 2021 “Ombeni’s New Home” Ombeni’s family were refugees in the U.S. School was hard because he didn’t know the language and didn’t have any friends. His mother suggested he try to find someone to serve. He found a girl sitting alone at lunch and sat by her and smiled. She smiled back. It made him feel happy that he could help someone.
Lot is captured in the battles of the kings—He is rescued by Abram—Melchizedek administers bread and wine and blesses Abram—Abram pays tithes—He declines to accept the spoils of conquest.
Parable of the Skittles Cute idea about giving children a bag of skittles and all they have to do is give 10 back, then they compare the amounts and see the abundance they still have compared to what they gave.
Friend December 2022 “Tithing Time” Tithing is 10 percent of the money we receive. Match each amount of money with the tithing you would pay.
In Genesis 14:20, we read that Abraham paid tithing. Elder David A. Bednar has taught that spiritual blessings “are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing” (“The Windows of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 18).
As a family, discuss the blessings you’ve seen from obeying the law of tithing.
Have one person write the blessings down.
Together, go through the list again and discuss some of the ways these blessings make your life better.
Elder Bednar also taught that “a subtle but significant blessing we receive [as we honor the law of tithing] is the spiritual gift of gratitude that enables our appreciation for what we have. … A grateful person is rich in contentment” (“The Windows of Heaven,” 18). How has your family seen gratitude as a blessing of paying tithing?
Help the children count 10 small objects, such as the coins on this week’s activity page. Invite them to separate one of the objects from the rest, and explain that this is like the tithing we give to the Lord. We give Him one-tenth of what we receive. Share your testimony of how the Lord blesses us as we pay tithing. Sing with the children a song about tithing, such as “I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” (Children’s Songbook, 150).
Friend December 2022 “Tithing Pie” A bishop explains tithing by drawing a pretend peach pie and then asking if any of the children would want some. He then says he will give the whole pie to them, but he just wants one piece back.
Draw a window on the board, and read Malachi 3:10 to the children. Invite them to point to the window when you read the phrase “windows of heaven.” Explain that this means that Heavenly Father gives us great blessings when we pay tithing. As the children color this week’s activity page, talk about some of the reasons why we pay tithing.
“I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles” (June 2012 Liahona and Friend) An activity that encourages families to discuss the blessings of tithing. Includes a short story and illustration of a tithing slip.
Share a story from the Friend magazine or from your own life about paying tithing. Invite the children to listen for blessings that can come from paying tithing.
Friend April 2018 “An Amazing Lesson”When Elder Cordon was a child he learned that the Lord blesses us when we pay our tithing. His parents had to choose between paying for food or paying tithing. They paid their tithing and later his father received work and a prepayment for that work.
Friend April 2016 “Pesos for Heavenly Father” Ana’s grandmother has faith to pay tithing even though there is no food, and she is blessed.
Family members might enjoy drawing pictures to represent these blessings and hanging the pictures on a window.
“Lesson 44: Malachi Teaches about Tithes and Offerings,” Primary 6: Old Testament
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 ” Paying tithing is more about having faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than it is about finances. What do the children you teach understand about tithing? How will you help them have the faith to pay tithing?
Write on the board questions about tithing like the following: What is tithing? How do I pay tithing? What is tithing for? What are the blessings of paying tithing? Invite the children to search Malachi 3:8–12 and “Tithes, Tithing” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and write down answers they find. Invite them to share their answers with each other. What kind of people do we become by paying tithing?
Show the video “Jesus Teaches about the Widow’s Mite” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or read together Mark 12:41–44. What does this story teach us about how the Lord feels about our offerings?
Draw a window on the board, and invite the children to write inside the window blessings that someone might receive for paying tithing (for ideas, see Malachi 3:10–12). Invite the children to share a personal example of how they or their families have been blessed by faithfully paying tithing. Or you could share an example from your own life of how paying tithing has increased your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Friend August 2019 “Elder Rasband Visits Cape Verde” Elder Rasband visited a school were many of the children don’t have parents to take care of them. The Church gives money to help the children’s school that Elder Rasband visited. (Activity: Four children donated money to the Church’s Humanitarian Aid Fund. Follow the shapes along the path to see what each child’s money was used for. (Also includes instructions on how to donate money to humanitarian aid.)
Explain that in the early days of the Church, the Saints were commanded to share with each other everything they had been blessed with. This commandment was called the law of consecration. Write the word consecration on the chalkboard. Explain that to consecrate means to dedicate or give for a sacred purpose.
When the Saints began gathering in Ohio in early 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith was concerned because many of them were very poor and did not have the things they needed, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The Prophet began looking for a way to help these poor members of the Church.
When the Prophet first arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, he found that some members of the Church were living together on a farm owned by Isaac Morley. They had read in the Bible that the members of the Church in Jesus’ time shared everything they had (see Acts 2:44–45; 4:32), and they were trying to live the same way. This plan did not always work very well, however. For example, one man thought that if all things were shared, it was all right for him to sell a watch that actually belonged to another man. This made the owner of the watch very angry. The Prophet saw that although it was good that these people were trying to share with each other, their plan was not approved by the Lord. Joseph prayed to find out what the Lord wanted the members of the Church to do.
A few days after calling Edward Partridge to be the bishop of the Church, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the law of consecration (see D&C 42:30–39, 42). This law commanded the Saints to share with each other in an organized way. The Lord gave the following instructions:
The Saints were to consecrate, or give, all of their property and possessions to the Church. The bishop would be responsible for these consecrations.
The bishop would decide with the head of each family what property and possessions the family needed to work and live. The bishop would give these needed items to the family.
Families would work hard to provide for themselves using the things they were given. After they filled their own needs and wants, anything extra they had earned or created was to be given to the bishop to help the poor and strengthen the Church.
Play the game “I Don’t Need It—Would You Like It?” to help the children understand the concept of sharing their excess with others. Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil, and have the children list food, clothing, shelter, money, and books and games on their papers. The object of the game is for each child to obtain all the items on the list by either picking the items from the container or receiving them from another child.
Pass the container of papers to a child and have him or her choose a paper, read it, and put it back into the container. Have the child circle the named item on his or her paper. Then pass the container to the next child. When all the children have had a turn, begin again with the first child and have him or her pick another paper.
If on a subsequent turn a child picks an item that is already circled on his or her list, he or she turns to the child on the left and says, “I don’t need it—would you like it?” Then the child sitting to the left can circle that item on his or her list. If that child already has the item circled, he or she asks the question of the next child to the left. Continue until someone is able to circle the item.
Play the game until each child has circled every item on the list.
This law helped the Church grow and helped the members take care of each other while they lived in Ohio and Missouri. People donated their time and talents as well as their money and possessions so that missionary work could be done, a temple could be built, and newly arriving Saints would have a place to live and food to eat. Even though most of the people were poor, when they shared what they did have, everyone had enough.
Early members of the Church lived the law of consecration for only a short while. Someday the Church will practice the law of consecration again, but today we as members are asked to live only part of the law. We are not asked to give all we have to the Church, but we are asked to pay tithing and fast offerings. (You may need to explain that when we fast, we are asked to contribute to the Church at least the amount of money we would have spent on two meals that day. This is a fast offering.) Tithing and fast offerings are used to take care of the poor, build temples and meetinghouses, and provide other things such as lesson manuals. We are also asked to share our time and talents by doing things such as giving talks or teaching Primary classes. As we share, we are helping to build the kingdom of God on the earth.
Hide the words “faithful,” “just,” and “wise” around the room. Invite the children to find the words in the room and then find them in Doctrine and Covenants 51:19. Read the verse together, and talk about what it means to be a steward. “A person who takes care of the affairs or property of another. That which a steward cares for is called a stewardship. All things on earth belong to the Lord; we are His stewards. We are accountable to the Lord.” (“Steward, Stewardship” in the Guide to the Scriptures).
Many of the children you teach are probably too young to earn money and pay tithing, but it’s good for them to understand how tithing contributes to the great work the Church does throughout the world.
Explain how we pay tithing and what it is used for (see “Chapter 44: Tithing,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 165–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Draw 10 coins on the board, and ask the children to help you count them. Determine how many to give the Lord for tithing.
Sing together a song about tithing, such as “I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” (Children’s Songbook, 150), and tell the children why you choose to pay tithing. If possible, share a personal story.
Ponder how you will help the children understand how tithing—even the small amounts they might pay—contributes to the building up of the Lord’s kingdom (see True to the Faith, 180–82).
Invite the children to imagine that a friend sees a Church building and asks, “How does your Church pay for that building?” How would we explain tithing to this friend? Suggest that the children refer to Doctrine and Covenants 119:4; 120:1 as they consider this question.
Help the children think of things the Church is able to do because of tithing. How do these things bless our lives? Share your feelings about the law of tithing and how it has blessed you.
Fill in the empty squares so that all six pictures are in each row (across), each column (up and down), and each purple rectangle.
Tithing Settlement
Friend April 2023 “Tithing or Ice Cream?” Katy used her tithing money to buy ice cream several times. She didn’t know how much she owed and didn’t have the money to replace it. At tithing settlement she had to report that she wasn’t a full tithe payer. Her bishop explained that she could repent and try to do better. Katy prayed and asked for forgiveness and to try again.
Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. He watched as people gave money for the church. Many rich people gave a lot of money.A poor widow gave two pieces of money called mites. It was not very much money, but it was all the money she had.Jesus saw the widow and told the disciples what she had done.He said the rich people had given a greater amount of money than she had, but they had more to give.The widow had no more money. She gave all that she had. She gave more to God than all the rich people.
What do these verses teach about how the Savior views our offerings? Show your family how to pay tithing and fast offerings to the Lord. How do these offerings help build God’s kingdom? What are some other ways we can offer “all that [we have]” to the Lord? (Mark 12:44).
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